Investigating polypropylene–green coconut fiber composites in the molten and solid states through various techniques

Abstract

AbstractA series of polypropylene (PP)–green coconut fiber (GCF) composites were prepared by melt mixing and their properties studied in the molten state using an advanced nonlinear harmonic testing technique, and in the solid state using standard mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of fiber loading as well as the role of maleated polypropylene as compatibilizing agent was investigated. PP–GCF composites are heterogeneous materials that, in the molten state, are found to exhibit essentially a nonlinear viscoelastic character, in contrast with the pure PP, which has a linear viscoelastic region up to 50–60% strain. Complex modulus increases with GCF content but in such a manner that the observed reinforcement is at best of hydrodynamic origin, without any specific chemical interaction occurring between the polymer matrix and the fibers. The addition of maleated polypropylene improves the wetting of fibers by the molten polymer but the effect is so small that specific chemical reactions could hardly be considered as occurring. Flexural modulus data confirm the reinforcing effects of the fiber and an improvement is noted when some maleated polypropylene is used, with an optimum level of around 1% (or the PP content). SEM microphotographs clearly show that maleated polypropylene imparts a better wetting of GC fibers by PP, but chemical interactions are unlikely to occur between the polymer and GCF. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1922–1936, 2006